Last regatta of the year

It was very cold in terms of Miami's sailing. I had everything I could put on but still got wet and frozen fingers (even I'm on a small power boat, not a sail boat). I have a lot of respect for all of our young sailors (over 600 of them), bearing the cold and strong breeze, and staying out for hours to finish race after race. The forecast says, it's going to warm up, however, the wind is going to die. Seems that we will get busy in the protest room.

Christmas project

After years of careful planning (aka procrastination), we cleared out a small area in the front yard for this project - "Shade House for Orchid". There are some serious considerations for this kind of project, other than Fung Shui and construction designs. For example, how much resources will be needed after the completion (translation: how many more Orchids, how much money, time and effort to maintain) and willingness to go for permitting process. So far, the project has been under budget (less than $200), on schedule (2 days of work), with no major accident (except digging/breaking into a electric conduit). Other than the shelving and misting system, I just need warmer night temperature.

Notes on Cooking (or Potting)

Another wood kiln opening yesterday. Even it's in the cold rain, people were still very enthusiastic. It's like boxing day comes early. You never know what you will get until it's opened. I was reading a small book about Cooking. Don't confused it with a cook book, this one has no recipe, only principles which can extent to different disciplines.

Here's Page 8:The Cook's Role, I can see some of the parallel to the Potter's role. So, I think I should share with potters friends.

14. Work from your strength. Don't try to master everything. Become known for a few dishes (forms), perhaps even the near perfection of one. Discover your obsession, then make yourself a slave to it: the mastery of a traditional dish (form), the combination of ingredients (glazes and firings) that have never before met, precision in presentation, devotion to a culinary (ceramic) heritage, the introduction of color (surface, texture) where it never before existed…

15. Aim at mastery of craft, not at art. Know the basics. Repeat and practice, and the sublime will rise at rare, unexpected moments. Be open to capturing art when it comes, but craft is your highest daily priority.

16. Don't TRY to be different. You are different. Cook (Pot) from your gut.

17. Embrace the mundane. Do not bemoan the pedestrian tasks. Find pleasure in peeling a carrot (wedging clay), steaming rice (sieving glaze), searing a steak (pulling handle), prepping (sanding), cleaning (Oh yes, cleaning). Your reward is in the work, not around it. Cooking (Potting) is not about convenience, but the pleasure earned through creation and in giving pleasure to others. Shortcuts are tempting, even necessary from time to time. But if you rely on pre-cut vegetables, pre-marinated meats, and canned sauces, you are not cooking. You are assembling. I guess we had all seem some assembled pots before.

19. Justify your food (works) in at least two ways. A dish (piece of work) must taste (function) good and be seasonal (stylish), or look good (good form) and be healthful (be safe or be inspiring). Having dual objectives raises your standard of execution. Plus when a single purpose falls short, you have provided yourself a safety net.

Elbow above shoulder

For 6 months, I could hardly raise my left elbow over the shoulder because of a stupid move involving the bicycle. ;> OK,OK, the truth is I was sitting in the front of the mini-van, and try to pull the water bottle out from the bicycle in the back. See, it doesn't sound as cool.

I lost about 30% range of movement mostly to the back and up. Couldn't play swing monkey or windsurf. Sudden movement sent electric shock pain right down the arm. But, most of the time, I was fine with normal daily routine. So, my belief was just take it easy and let it resolve gradually without intervention. No doctor, no medicine, just simple exercises.

Maybe because of the cold weather lately, the shoulder started to cramp up during sleep, losing even more range of motion. Friends advised me to get treatment before it become a frozen shoulder.

Before the first visit to Ron (my acupuncturist), I planned carefully what to wear, so it's easy to show the bare shoulder and have needle inserted. Surprised by his request: "Can you take off your shoes and sock? Just the left one.", I wasn't sure I heard it right. It is the left foot acupuncture points he wants to focus on. He didn't look at or touch my shoulder at all.

During the 2nd visit today (I do remember clean socks!), the shoulder loosen up. Even with hand on the shoulder, the elbow can raise above shoulder. It's like an evil claw has been lifted from me. No more shock pain, even outside range, only dull pain.

It's a pleasure to be able to pull ones shirt off over head with BOTH hands.

Sexy orchid make lousy lovers

In fact, it's the title of a recent book about nature. It happened that some orchids in the backyard are in boom lately. And here's what the title refers to: From some orchid's perspective, "All is fair in love and cross pollination". They will put on great effort into luring a male insect by undulating with striking colors in the breeze or mimicking the form and smell of female insect, even though one-third of these ancient flowers have no nectar to offer potential pollinators. If a bee encounters this kind of orchid, he will eventually have to leave hungry, nevertheless help spreading the pollen. So, If you've never thought of orchid as a lover, you may want to think again. Exquisite, exotic, elegant but deceiving.

It has been freezing cold a few mornings this week. I have been moving orchid pots in at night, out when it's warm, and in again…… thinking, some lovers can be high maintenance too.

But, who can resist?